Michael Swickard's new novel about New Mexico

New Mexico Watchdog - Manny Aragon’s expected release from federal prison is only a year away. Will he return to an active role with the Democratic Party of New Mexico? Will he return a rehabilitated man and work to undo the culture of corruption he helped spread? Or will he maintain his code of criminal defiance and continue to protect dirty politicians he could help expose and bring to justice? Aragon, once one of the state’s most influential Democrats as President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, was sentenced in 2009 to 5 1/2 years in prison for his leadership role in a corruption case that swept up Albuquerque’s former mayor, the administrator of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court and politically connected contractors. He pleaded guilty to three federal felony counts of conspiracy and mail fraud in a scheme to steal $4.4 million from construction funds for the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Courthouse. Aragon served 29 years in the New Mexico Senate and rose to be perhaps the most powerful man in the chamber’s history. He graduated from the University of New Mexico Law School and was a friend of one of its former deans. But as a convicted felon, Aragon cannot even vote. Nor will he ever again practice law. He has been disbarred by both theNew Mexico Supreme Courtand theSupreme Court of the United States. Read More News New Mexico

Hispanicbusiness.com - New Mexico has shown up near the top of another national list.A company that provides warranty coverage for iPhone owners issued a list Wednesday of "clumsiest states," based on an examination of more than 125,000 claims of accidental damage from handling the devices. New Mexico ranked second, right behind Mississippi. The study by SquareTrade, which claims to be the leading independent provider of warranty coverage, predicted that 30 percent to 35 percent of iPhones in New Mexico will be reported damaged in the next two years, often from being dropped.Iowans apparently are the most careful with their iPhones, the study said, with only 7 percent expected to seek help with the cost of replacing one of the devices, which have become an integral part of many a consumer's lifestyle. Read More News New Mexico

New Mexico Business Weekly - The retail sector is recovering from the recession in two-thirds of U.S. states — but a third of states, including New Mexico, are continuing to suffer job losses in retail. Recent figures from theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticsshow that 32 states and the District of Columbia added retail jobs, or maintained retail jobs at the same level, in the past year, according to an On Numbers report. But 18 states had fewer retail jobs in mid-2012 than in mid-2011. New Mexico lost 700 retail jobs from mid-2011 to mid-2012, a decline of 0.78 percent. The state had 89,600 retail jobs as of June 2012. Despite the job losses, the state is seeing hopeful signs in retail. The Business Weekly recentlyreported in its print editionabout new retailers opening in Albuquerque, particularly in the Uptown area. California gained the most retail jobs from mid-2011 to mid-2012 — more than 25,000. Illinois lost the most retail jobs, with a decline of 13,700. Read More News New Mexico